Polk County Schools has selected Scott Hopper as the next principal of Polk County High School, choosing a veteran educator who says relationship-building and student-centered decision-making will guide his leadership as he succeeds Michelle Bean, who is retiring at the end of June.
Hopper brings 16 years of experience in public education to the role, with a background that spans the classroom and school leadership at both the secondary and elementary levels.
“We are excited to welcome Scott Hopper as the next principal of Polk County High School,” said Polk County Superintendent Todd Murphy. “Mr. Hopper is a proven educator and leader who cares deeply about students, staff and the community. His passion for education, commitment to student success and ability to build strong relationships will serve Polk County High School well.
“We believe his leadership will further strengthen the school’s tradition of excellence.”
Hopper holds a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Arts in education from Wake Forest University and licensure in school administration from Appalachian State University. He began his career as a math teacher at Kings Mountain High School in 2010 before teaching at Chase High School and East Rutherford High School. At East Rutherford, he later moved into administration as an assistant principal. In 2021, he became principal of Forrest Hunt Elementary School, a position he has held until now.
For Hopper, the move to Polk County represents the fulfillment of a career goal and an opportunity to join a community and school system whose values closely align with his own.
“The way Polk County does things, the family ties, the close-knit community, the relationship building, were all things that were very important to me and my approach to education and my approach to being a leader within a school,” he said.
Chief among those values, Hopper said, was seeing those relationships modeled throughout the district, including by Murphy.
“Seeing Mr. Murphy know the names of the teachers, and knowing not just their name but their role and what they do, understanding that he’s very tied into the school community and knows those kids by name, that same relationship building that I find so important, seeing that from the top down was something I wanted to be a part of,” Hopper said.
It’s an approach Hopper has practiced throughout his own career. At Forrest Hunt Elementary, he made it a point to learn every student by name – all 420 of them.
“I’ve valued and prided myself on not just knowing names, but knowing situations and needs and building those close bonds with kids from start to finish,” he said.
For families, faculty and students wondering what to expect from their new principal, Hopper’s answer is straightforward.
“It’s relationships. It’s true, intentional, purposeful relationships,” he said. “The first question and last question I ask myself before I make any decision is what’s best for kids? Sometimes what’s best for kids is hard for adults, and we’re still going to pick what’s best for kids.”
Hopper said he intends to make getting to know students a priority from day one. As assistant principal at East Rutherford, he spent his first month eating lunch with freshmen, sitting down at whatever table they were at and getting to know them one conversation at a time.
“Those relationships were built then and carried for the next four years,” he said. “That’s the plan. We’re going to get to know kids. We’re going to pour into the community and into kids and develop those real relationships so that I can turn around and say, I know what’s best for these kids.”
Hopper said his own experience as a student shapes everything about how he approaches his work.
“School was the first place, as a student, that I felt seen and felt comfortable,” he said. “It’s why, when people told me to do what you love, the only thing I could think of was to be a part of a school. I’ve been doing that for 16 years, making sure kids felt seen and valued.”
He added that what he has already seen of Polk County High School’s staff gives him confidence that the school has a strong foundation in place.
“In my interactions with the few staff I’ve gotten to meet already, that’s why they’re there too,” he said. “I want to be a part of that and be a leader among that.”
